Joe Allen has been included in Wales' 26-man World Cup squad, having proven his fitness ahead of the tournament in Qatar.
Allen, with 72 caps, has been part of so much of Wales' success stories of the recent past but a hamstring injury has kept him out of contention for Swansea City since mid-September.
Head coach Rob Page has named the 32-year-old among his list of midfielders, with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey both unsurprisingly included despite relatively little game-time this season.
Bale has only played 327 minutes for Los Angeles FC since his move to Major League Soccer in July, but he scored in the MLS Cup penalty shoot-out success last weekend against Philadelphia Union.
Ramsey scored on his debut for Nice in August but has since only made six starts for the Ligue 1 club.
Elsewhere, Sheffield United goalkeeper Adam Davies has only received three caps but is included again having been the third-choice stopper behind Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey at the delayed Euro 2020 Championships.
Page told Sky Sports: "With Joe Allen, we're going to throw everything at him to give him the best opportunity of getting in the first game.
"He's been involved with Wales for years and he's really important to how we want to play."
Page admits leaving Rhys Norrington-Davies and Tyler Roberts out of his World Cup squad were two of the toughest decisions he had to make.
Norrington-Davies' absence has been enforced by a hamstring injury, while Roberts has just one goal in 12 Championship appearances for QPR this season.
"I had to speak to Rhys Norrington-Davies and he was devastated because this injury that's put him out is quite a long-term one, so I've just been there to support him," Page added.
"He's going to miss out but that was taken out of my hands. Tyler was probably a little bit touch and go, he's doing his best to get back.
"Tyler was a difficult one because I know how much it means to him and he's a great lad."
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo misses out having failed to score in 17 appearances in Scotland since his summer move from Schalke.
Page explained why he chose to leave out Matondo, saying: "It's been a frustrating time for him. I think he was playing his best football when he was in Belgium.
"If he'd have been playing week in, week out, scoring goals and creating chances like he was in Belgium then it would have been a really difficult decision for me."
Wales' only previous World Cup finals appearance was in Sweden in 1958, where they lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Wales' first game in Qatar will take place on Monday November 21 against USA at 7pm UK time on the second day of the tournament at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The same venue will host Wales' second group game against Iran on Friday November 25 at 10am as well as the final group match against England on Tuesday November 29 at 7pm.
The knock-out stage begins on Saturday December 3.
Bowen: Bale's presence gives Wales belief
Former Wales international Mark Bowen on Sky Sports News:
"The whole Welsh nation is very excited with two weeks away from the opening match. It's been a long time coming but there's a lot of quiet expectation.
"It's a culmination of the way Welsh football has gone over the last few years ever since the famous Euros expedition we had under Chris Coleman.
"There's been a bit of quiet expectation building over the years because we've realised we have potentially a good, young squad with the sprinkling of stardust Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey give. We've got matchwinners in the squad. The whole nation is certainly behind them.
"Bale has this unique ability to be in the right place at the right time. He only needs a cameo performance, it's what the Welsh team garner from his presence on the pitch. It seems to give everyone an extra lift and belief just knowing he's on the pitch. It's a unique situation to have an iconic player in their midst they can look towards.
"I think we can be very confident. With World Cup groups you can't look too much as being favourites or second to qualify because tournament football is difficult.
"The first game against USA is a key game. Whatever happens, don't get beat in that first one because you give yourself a bit of a mountain to climb.
"Obviously the huge game is against England but that's the last one. It's about making sure we get through the first two and pick up enough points to give ourselves a chance of going through in that last game."
What is Wales' potential route to the final?*
If Wales win Group B....
Sunday December 4 - Last 16: Wales vs Ecuador (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Saturday December 10 - Quarter-final: Wales vs France (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Wednesday December 14 - Semi-final: Wales vs Belgium (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Sunday December 18 - Final: Wales vs Netherlands (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 3pm)
If Wales finish second in Group B...
Saturday December 3 - Last 16: Netherlands vs Wales (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Friday December 9 - Quarter-final: Wales vs Argentina (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7pm)
Tuesday December 13 - Semi-final: Wales vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Sunday December 18 - Final: Wales vs France (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 3pm)
*Based on highest FIFA world ranking finishing top of respective groups and winning knock-out games